FAQ — Legal Help in Estonia

1. What is domestic violence under Estonian law?

Under Estonian law, domestic violence includes physical, psychological, sexual and economic violence in close or dependent relationships. Since 2019, it is a crime of public prosecution (KarS § 121(2)(2)), meaning the police must investigate even without a victim's complaint. The punishment is up to 5 years of imprisonment. Threats and persistent psychological pressure also constitute violence.

2. Is psychological abuse punishable?

Yes, psychological abuse is punishable in Estonia. Persistent harassment, threats, and psychological pressure qualify under KarS § 120 (threats) and § 157³ (stalking). Psychological violence in close or dependent relationships is a crime with aggravating circumstances. The victim has the right to a restraining order and victim support services.

3. How to get a restraining order?

A restraining order can be requested through the county court in your area of residence. Submit an application describing the threat and attach evidence (police reports, medical certificates, photos). The court can issue a temporary restraining order within 1-3 days, even without hearing the other party (PKS § 1055, KrMS § 1411). Violating a restraining order is a criminal offence (KarS § 331²).

4. How to get victim support in Estonia?

For victim support, call the Social Insurance Board's helpline at 116 006 — it operates 24/7, is free and anonymous, and available in Estonian, Russian, and English. Victim support services include psychological counselling, legal aid, shelter services, and mediation. The service is available to all victims of crime, violence, or neglect, as well as their family members.

5. Is stalking a crime in Estonia?

Yes, stalking has been a criminal offence in Estonia since 2017. Under KarS § 157³, repeated contact-seeking, surveillance, following, or other actions that cause the victim to fear for their safety are punishable. The penalty is a fine or up to 3 years of imprisonment. The victim can also obtain a restraining order.

6. How to get free legal aid in Estonia?

There are several options for free legal aid in Estonia. State legal aid can be requested through the court if your income is low (RÕS § 6). Free consultations are also available from Tartu and Tallinn University law clinics, the Estonian Bar Association, and the Social Insurance Board's victim support service. Additionally, you can get initial legal information from the AI app Advocat, which works in 17 languages.

7. What to do if the police won't accept my report?

If the police refuse to accept your report, you have the right to demand a written refusal with justification. You can then file a complaint with the Police and Border Guard Board leadership, the Chancellor of Justice (oiguskantsler.ee), or the Prosecutor's Office. Any person can also submit a criminal report directly to the Prosecutor's Office. You can also get help from the Social Insurance Board's victim support service (116 006).

8. How to challenge a wrongful dismissal?

A wrongful dismissal can be challenged at the Labour Dispute Committee (TVK) or court within 30 calendar days of receiving the termination notice (TLS § 105(1)). The TVK procedure is free and fast (averaging 30-45 days). If the dismissal is declared void, the employer must pay compensation of up to 3 months' salary.

9. Can my employer fire me without a reason?

No, Estonian employment law requires a legal basis for dismissal. An employer can terminate an employment contract for economic reasons (TLS § 89) or due to employee misconduct (TLS § 88). In all cases, the employer must follow notice periods and give the employee an opportunity to remedy the situation. Dismissal without cause is void.

10. What to do if my employer doesn't pay my salary?

If your employer doesn't pay your salary, you have the right to claim interest (VÕS § 113) and file a free complaint with the Labour Dispute Committee. You can also terminate your employment contract extraordinarily due to the employer's material breach (TLS § 91(2)(2)), which entitles you to compensation. The Labour Dispute Committee reviews salary claims in an average of 30-45 days. The statute of limitations for salary debts is 3 years.

11. What is the minimum child support amount in 2026?

In 2026, the minimum child support in Estonia is half of the current average monthly salary per child (Family Law Act § 101). It is calculated based on Statistics Estonia's average wage data. The court may also consider both parents' incomes, the child's actual needs, and custody arrangements. Child support can be claimed through the court.

12. What is cyberbullying and how to report it?

Cyberbullying includes threats, humiliation, spreading false information, sharing intimate images, and persistent harassment online. In Estonia, it is punishable under KarS § 120 (threats), § 157³ (stalking), and § 157² (invasion of privacy). To report it, save evidence (screenshots), contact the police (612 3000 or politsei.ee), and if needed, the Web Constable.

13. How to collect evidence in a cyberbullying case?

In a cyberbullying case, immediately take screenshots of all messages, posts, and comments — they may be deleted later. Save URLs, dates, and times. Do not delete messages or block the bully before saving evidence. If possible, make a screen recording. Submit evidence to the police on a USB drive or via a cloud service.

14. What to do if I was scammed online?

If you were scammed online, act quickly: 1) Immediately notify your bank and request a chargeback. 2) File a report with the police (KarS § 209 — fraud, punishable by up to 5 years). 3) Save all evidence — correspondence, payment confirmations, website screenshots. 4) Report to the Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority (TTJA). The faster you act, the higher the chance of recovering your money.

15. How to protect my consumer rights?

As a consumer in Estonia, you have extensive rights: a 14-day withdrawal right for online purchases (VÕS § 56), at least a 2-year warranty on goods (VÕS § 218), and the right to demand repair, replacement, or refund for defective products. If you have a problem, first submit a written complaint to the seller. If the seller doesn't respond, contact the TTJA consumer disputes committee (free) or file a claim in court.

16. How to file a complaint with the consumer disputes committee?

A complaint to the consumer disputes committee can be filed through the Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority (TTJA) website at ttja.ee. Before filing, you must first contact the seller with a written complaint. The committee reviews the case within 90 days, and its decision is a recommendation for the business. The procedure is free for consumers.

17. How long do I have to appeal a deportation order?

A deportation order can be appealed in the administrative court within 30 days of receiving the decision (HKMS § 46). It is important to also request interim legal protection (suspension of enforcement) while the court reviews the case. Appeals can invoke the EU proportionality principle and ECHR Article 8 (right to private and family life). Free legal aid is available.

18. What is Advocat and how does it work?

Advocat is an AI-powered legal information application that explains Estonian laws in plain language. You describe your situation, and Advocat analyses it in the context of relevant laws, explains your rights, and recommends next steps. Advocat works in 17 languages. It does not replace a lawyer but helps you understand your rights before seeking professional legal help.

19. Is Advocat free?

Advocat operates on a freemium model. Each month you can use up to 7 messages with the AI legal assistant for free, which is usually enough for one quick question. For further use, paid plans are available:

• Counsel (formerly Pro): €14.99–19.99/month — unlimited chat, document analysis, 17 languages
• Representation (formerly Premium): €29.99/month — all Counsel features plus document drafting, voice assistant, and priority support

Founder members (first 100) get the Counsel price at €14.99/month for life (regular price €19.99/month). Full pricing: advocat.ee/#pricing. Cancel any time, EU 14-day refund right.

20. Does Advocat store my data?

Yes, contextually — chat history is retained for up to 24 months so you can return to your case and the AI can give consistent answers. You can delete a chat or your entire account at any time (see Privacy Policy § 5). Data is hosted on EU servers (Supabase, Frankfurt). AI queries are forwarded to Anthropic (Claude, USA) under GDPR Art 46 Standard Contractual Clauses.

21. Does AI legal help replace a real lawyer?

No, AI legal help does not replace a professional lawyer. Advocat provides general legal information and helps understand laws in plain language, but cannot give personalised legal advice, represent you in court, or draft legal documents. For complex legal matters, we always recommend consulting a licensed attorney. Advocat helps you prepare for a meeting with a lawyer.

22. What languages does Advocat support?

Advocat works in 17 languages: Estonian, Russian, English, Finnish, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Ukrainian, Polish, Lithuanian, Latvian, Swedish, Norwegian, Arabic, and Chinese. This is important because Estonia is home to many people with different native languages who need legal information in their own language. The language can be selected automatically or manually in the app.